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Every career path has obstacles. Even the most accomplished leaders have faced moments where their goals felt out of reach. What separates the people who moved forward is how they respondedby adapting, learning, and finding new ways to progress. Below, 17 members of Fast Company Executive Board share the challenges that once stood in their path and the lessons they drew from those experiences. If any of these roadblocks sound familiar, apply their expert advice for working through them. 1. TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY I used to take every loss personally. I was rejected from Cambridge, I lost my first three boxing matches, VCs passed, deals collapsed. And Id lose control, trying to figure out what I did wrong. As time passed, I learned that the world doesnt punish you; it reveals you. A setback says, somethings not alignedyet. Now I see setbacks as course corrections. Youre not being punished, youre being prepared. – Aron Alexander, Runa 2. BEING TOO AMBITIOUS Early in my career, my ambition often clashed with my career goal timeline. I thought I was ready for a promotion, but I hadnt yet learned that the business also needs to be ready for you to step into a new role (not just the other way around). As I grew into the executive level, I found balance in the following: keep driving forward, but recognize that not everything will follow my timelineand thats okay. – Irina Soriano, Seismic 3. FAILING TO BALANCE TECH WITH GENUINE HUMAN CONNECTION I once believed that the right tools, dashboards, and processes would drive innovation. But I learned the hard wayinnovation is a team sport. Without a genuine human connection, even the best tech fails. That experience taught me to lead with relationships. I see this mistake repeating with AIchasing efficient systems over trust and collaboration. Thats a recipe for disaster that I hope others avoid. – Alex Goryachev 4. STRIVING FOR PERFECTION Early in my journey, I let perfectionism delay progress. I wanted every detail to be flawless before taking the next step. But I was taught magic lives in momentum. I overcame it by embracing imperfection as part of the story. My advice? Start before youre ready. Let passion lead, and polish as you go. Progress, not perfection, opens the door to your purpose. – Sudhir Gupta, FACTICERIE 5. CONFUSING DREAMS AND GOALS Learning how to set a goal with honesty was transformative. Recognizing the difference between a dream, a goal, and an objective helped me give myself adequate time and grace. It takes work to evaluate your personal and environmental readiness, and sitting with myself in truth was often the first and most difficult obstacle. Check yourself, check your resources, check your alliesthen go. – Joynicole Martinez, The Alchemist Agency 6. DOING IT ALL ALONE Trying to do everything myself slowed my progress toward key goals. Like many entrepreneurs, I believed no one could match my pace or standards. Over time, I learned to delegate and build a team I trust. That shift allowed me to scale faster and focus on what really moves the business forward. The takeaway: growth often starts when you stop doing it all alone. – Boris Dzhingarov, ESBO ltd 7. FEARING ‘NO’ Early in my career, fear of rejection stopped me from pitching big ideas. I overcame it by reframing no as feedback. Practicing small, low-risk pitches built confidence. Others can adopt this mindset shift to turn setbacks into growth. – Gianluca Ferruggia, DesignRush 8. LACKING BALANCE BETWEEN VISION AND EXECUTION In the early days of my career, it was not that easy to balance vision and execution. It took some time for me to create a structured approach to taking ideas to action. To find a solution, I started to think about small, manageable tasks with the approach of using my mentors to guide me. My best advice is to focus on small iterative progress rather than trying to hit a perfect presentation. – Asad Khan, LambdaTest Inc. 9. BEING A ‘JACK OF ALL TRADES’ Early on at our agency, we struggled with being a “jack of all trades,” trying to do everything instead of focusing on our strengths. It was hard to let go of potential opportunities, but narrowing our focus to what we do best led to greater success and growthproving that specializing can be more rewarding than trying to do it all. – Martin Pedersen, Stellar Agency 10. LACKING CONFIDENCE Lack of confidence held me back early in my career. I overcame it by leaning into small wins, seeking feedback, and focusing on progress over perfection. Building self-trust made a real difference. My advice: dont wait until you feel 100 percent readytake action, learn as you go, and growth will follow. – Maria Alonso, Fortune 206 11. KEEPING COMPANY THAT IS AFRAID TO BRANCH OUT My biggest setback came from sticking with a circle that valued stability over innovation. Once I sought out peers who weren’t afraid to disrupt norms, my career accelerated rapidly. Your network sets your ceiling, so build relationships with people whose bold ideas push you beyond your comfort zone. – Eddy Vertil, Vertil & Company 12. THINKING SUCCESS IS LINEAR Early in my career, Ibelieved that career success followed a linear path: do X, get Y, and you progress. I couldnt have been more wrong. What it really took for me was quite the opposite: embracing risk, raising my hand, and pursuing unexpected opportunities to truly move forward and eventually achieve my goals. – Jani Hirvonen, Google 13. DISAGREEING WITH CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK I would sometimes get feedback that I didn’t accept (it wasn’t always accurate). I needed to learn that it didn’t matter if it was true or notI had to address the feedback of that person. If 99 percent of folks thought I was a good communicator, but the one percent was an influencer, it was up to me to help that one percent see me differently. Reframe yourself because one size doesn’t fit all. – Sabrina Farmer, GitLab 14. STAYING COMFORTABLE The biggest obstacle was my comfort zone. Chasing perfection sometimes paralyzed me. Instead of overthinking, I embraced imperfection and took bold, imperfect actions. I didn’t reach the goal right away, but I learned to celebrate small wins. Failure can be the best teacher. Instead of aiming for a perfect path, be willing to stumble. It’s in those mistakes that true growth and creativity happen. – Shawn Galloway, ProAct Safety, Inc. 15. CHASING EVERY OPPORTUNITY As a classic achiever, I passionately chased almost every opportunity. As a result, I spread myself thin and was often behind the wave, not my best self. Learning to get altitude wasn’t just shifting perspective; it was knowing which priorities deserved my focus and would energize me. I am slower to jump, more selective, and happier. – Dr. Camille Preston, AIM Leadership, LLC 16. CARING WHAT OTHERS THINK My ego stood in the way. I was too focused on how others perceived me, which ultimately hurt my progress. Real growth came when I prioritized purpose over image. Letting go of that mindset ultimately allowed me to move forward, making smarter decisions and building a successful company. – Toni Pisano, PortPro Technologies, Inc. 17. FAILING TO PRIORITIZE GROWTH Prioritizing the work over growth is a very common challenge for emerging leaders. There are always competing priorities, and there will always be “something else” to do, but you have to make the time to prioritize your growth. – Monica Hickey, The Evoke Agency
Category:
E-Commerce
The Trump administration is backtracking on a plan that would have forced airlines to give passengers cash as compensation for late flights. The Department of Transportation tossed out the proposal, which the Biden administration set into motion late last year, according to a filing posted on Thursday. In the filing, government officials called the decision Consistent with Department and administration priorities. The new rule would have implemented a tiered system that required airlines to pay passengers between $200 and $775 for flight delays of more than three hours, depending on the duration of the delay. The same rule would have required airlines to rebook passengers dealing with canceled flights for free. This action were announcing is another step forward into a better era for commercial air travelwhere the flying public is better protected and passengers arent expected to bear the cost of disruptions caused by airlines, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at the time, noting that airlines received more than $50 billion in federal bailouts during the pandemic to keep them afloat. Airlines also would have been required to cover meals, overnight lodging and transportation for passengers stranded from a flight cancellation or delay. The compensation would have been required in instances when the flight disruption was caused by an airline, like in instances of software meltdowns and mechanical issues. In a statement to Fast Company, a Department of Transportation spokesperson said that the agency will reconsider other extra-statutory federal rules from the Biden administration that go beyond regulations put in place by Congress. We will faithfully implement all aviation consumer protection requirements mandated by Congress, including the requirement to refund ticket prices to passengers in the case of airline canceled or substantially delayed flights when consumers choose not to travel, the spokesperson said. Trumps record on airlines During his tenure, Bidens Department of Transportation focused on implementing consumer-friendly regulations for the airline industry and addressing some of the post-pandemic chaos that saw flight cancellations and delays soar. In some instances, the requirements would bring U.S. airlines into parity with its European counterparts, which are required to provide compensation for late and canceled flights when the circumstances are not out of their control. In the U.S., airlines can opt in to compensating disgruntled fliers, but the customer service experience around disrupted flights is notoriously uneven. In contrast, Trump has emphasized deregulation across the board an agenda that will inevitably see the current administration peeling back many Biden-era rules. How those priorities will shake out for U.S. airlines and their passengers remains to be seen. So far, Trump has made efforts to revamp the threadbare air traffic control system. That move garnered praise from industry group Airlines for America, which celebrated the passage of Trumps so-called Big Beautiful Bill and the presidents vision for a golden age of air travel. Few people have had the gumption to take on the vast undertaking of modernizing our nations complex ATC system, but President Trump and Secretary Duffy addressed the dire need quickly and are acting with urgency, Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio said. The industry group also applauded the TSAs decision to allow fliers to keep their shoes on, a major policy change the agency said would modernize and enhance traveler experience and shorten wait times in security lines. Airlines might be happy with Trumps deregulatory bent, but they are likely less pleased with the White Houses chaotic tariff crusade. With new tariffs in place, airlines stand to pay huge additional sums on top of the already massive cost of an aircraft when importing planes and parts built abroad into the U.S.
Category:
E-Commerce
Buying an abandoned golf course and restoring it from scratch sounds like a dream for many golf fans. For one man in Maine, that dream is now reality. A user who posts under the handle @thefairwayfields on TikTok and YouTube,(and who lists his real name only as “Tye,” purchased the abandoned golf course in Chesterville, Maine, earlier this year. After picking up golf last year, he quickly realized there wasnt anywhere to play within 40 minutes. So he decided to build his own course. @thefairwayfields Not in the best shape but well get there Fairway Fields original sound – thefairwayfields Tye detailed his vision for the abandoned course on his TikTok account, which includes an outdoor simulator bay, a normal driving range, as well as an Airbnb, which can be used as a venue for weddings and other events. The purchase also came with a trove of out-of-use equipment and vintage golf clubs he plans to restore. He has since named the project Fairway Fields. @thefairwayfields Fairway Fields – phase 1 American Nights – Zach Bryan Balancing the restoration with a full-time job, Tye began posting updates in June. His videos struck a chord, helping Fairway Fields attract nearly 800,000 followers across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, with many clips reaching millions of views. Has potential to be the greatest TikTok series of all time, one TikTok user wrote. My new life goal: buying an abandoned golf course with the boys, joked another. A third user commented: If I won the lottery I wouldnt tell anyone, but there would be signs. (Fast Company has reached out to Fairway Fields for comment.) @thefairwayfields Hole 1 day 1 – Fairway Fields – John (Songs Station) – user52912547838 In one video, Tye shows how far he has come in restoring the greens to their former glory. In another, he documents the painstaking process of reviving maintenance equipment unused for a decade. @thefairwayfields Hole 1 day 1 – Fairway Fields – John (Songs Station) – user52912547838 The progress in just a few months has been striking, with a loyal community eager to see the project succeed. Some commenters have offered their labor, others their money via GoFundMe, and many say theyll travel across the country once Fairway Fields opens. That may be soon. In his latest video, Tye announced the range portion of the course should open to the public next week. @thefairwayfields Fairway Fields from a birds POV suono originale – New60s70srevenge ̵ New60s70srevenge
Category:
E-Commerce
Apples annual iPhone event is happening next week, when the company is expected to unveil a range of new devices that includes its thinnest phone to date. Its also the first iPhone event since the embarrassing Apple Intelligence flub earlier this year, which saw the company push back AI-powered Siri features announced last year all the way into 2026. Apple is rarely first to introduce cutting-edge new features, instead preferring to wait until it can offer a differentiated take on technology thats ready for the mainstream. With AI, though, Apple has essentially issued a mea culpa; it actually wanted to jump into the fray, but just couldnt get ready in time. With that in mind, its worth looking at the current smartphone landscape to see what the new iPhones will be going up against. Apple made the case last year that AI would transform the smartphone experience, even if it whiffed on actually shipping anything to that end. So what about the alternatives? {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/multicore_logo.jpg","headline":"Multicore","description":"Multicore is about technology hardware and design. It's written from Tokyo by Sam Byford. To learn more visit multicore.blog","substackDomain":"https:\/\/www.multicore.blog","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}} Google Pixel 10 Pro The just-announced Pixel 10 Pro phones are Googles most advanced yet when it comes to AI capabilities, and arguably the most AI-forward options on the market. Googles AI focus with the Pixel 10 line goes right down to the decisions it made with the Tensor G5 system-on-chip, which was designed in-house and, for the first time, fabricated on TSMCs leading-edge 3nm process. But that hasnt brought a huge leap in performance; instead, Google is devoting a huge amount of the die space to Tensor cores, which handle on-device processing tasks. That means that the Pixel 10 doesnt perform all that well in benchmarks or gaming compared to other current flagship phonesGoogle is putting its silicon where its mouth is when it comes to the importance of AI. This year, Magic Cue is the most prominent new AI feature, and its notably reminiscent of what Apple claimed the iPhone would be able to do with Apple Intelligence. Its a context-aware feature that proactively surfaces information from across your other apps; for example, if youre in a chat and a friend mentions a restaurant reservation thats buried in another inbox, Magic Cue will suggest the information and relevant actions right there within your current app. This all runs on-device using Googles Gemini Nano model. Pixel phones have long been ahead of the curve when it comes to processing language on-device. The auto-transcribing Recorder app is a godsend for journalists, while the ability to automatically add translated subtitles to any audio or video in real time opens up whole new worlds of content. This year, the Pixel 10 adds the ability to translate phone calls in real time, meaning the person on the other end of the call hears you talking in their language in what sounds something like your own voice. Its hard to say exactly how reliant the Pixel phones are on their AI-focused silicon, because most of these features simply dont work on other phones. What is clear, though, is that Google has identified AI as the biggest differentiator for its own smartphones, which historically have been a minor player in terms of market share. This feels like more of a long-term play rather than something that will attract most consumers today. But its hard to deny that the Pixel 10 Pro offers the most advanced and complete implementation of AI technology on a smartphone today. Samsung Galaxy Samsung, meanwhile, didnt shower itself in glory during the years when it was pushing its Bixby voice assistant on everyone, but Galaxy phones are in much better shape today when it comes to AI. Although much of the Galaxy AI suite relies heavily on Googles own technology, Samsung has implemented it in smart ways and benefits from tight collaboration with Google. The Circle to Search feature, for example, which scans whats on your screen for text and visual information and lets you search based on that, actually made its debut on Samsung phones in 2024 before later coming to Googles own Pixel. Samsung has also been up to speed when launching features like real-time Gemini Live chat across its phones and watches. And all of this works alongside Samsungs own system-level implementation of features like generative photo editing, writing and translation tools. Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold 7 is also the most advanced foldable phone available in the U.S., a form factor that Ive found is particularly well-suited for AI workflows. The square-ish inner screen can be an awkward fit for many mobile apps, but ChatGPT and Gemini have handy column-based interfaces that give more real estate for responses, which often include tables or other formatting that can be difficult to read on a regular phone screen. AI apps are also especially well-suited for multitasking; foldable phones let you essentially run two full-size phone apps at once, which is very helpful when editing and cross-referencing. Apple iPhone Part of the reason the botched Apple Intelligence rollout was so surprising is that it felt like Apple should have this in the bag from a hardware perspective. Apple Silicon is the envy of the entire tech industry, with Apples homegrown chips powering unbeatable performance across Macs and iPhones alike. The A17 chip in last years iPhones does have a lot of theoretical AI capability due to the large on-board NPU, which Apple calls the Neural Engine, but its difficult to see how that truly improves the current iOS experience. Right now the chip mostly seems to be deployed to speed up core functionality like photo processing and Face ID scanning, which isnt nothing, but might not be maximizing the potential of the silicon. There is definitely a conceivable future where Apple delivers the best overall AI smartphone experience due to its on-device capabilities, but despite its hardware advantage, right now were nowhere close. Its unlikely that the iPhone 17 lineup will do anything to change thatat least not until Apple gets its AI software in order. That said, Apple is much better at keeping software leaks under wraps than its hardware. Its possible the new iPhonesand the new chip that powers themwill come with some new AI features that were developed separately from the Siri disaster. Itll be interesting to see to what extent next weeks iPhone announcement does or doesnt mention AI. But regardless of whats in the pipeline, the bar has already been set a whole lot higher than where the iPhone is currently at. {"blockType":"creator-network-promo","data":{"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2025\/03\/multicore_logo.jpg","headline":"Multicore","description":"Multicore is about technology hardware and design. It's written from Tokyo by Sam Byford. To learn more visit multicore.blog","substackDomain":"https:\/\/www.multicore.blog","colorTheme":"salmon","redirectUrl":""}}
Category:
E-Commerce
Theres a great clip from the Today Show back in 1994. Anchors Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel are trying to figure out what, exactly, “the internet” is. They’re confused by an email address. Theyre not quite sure what @ means. Its funny now, but also a reminder of how big changes often start. I think well look back on the early days of stablecoins the same way. Dubbed stablecoin summer, it sounds like nothing more than a fad right now. However, its actually the beginning of a long-overdue upgrade to how money works for everyone, not just for finance nerds or crypto bros. What’s different this time? Stablecoins are digital dollars that move at internet speed. Thanks to the GENIUS Act, they now have a formal regulatory framework in the U.S., including access to the Feds payment rails. Translation: These dollars are just as legitimate as the ones in our bank accountsbut theyre faster, always on, and programmable (meaning they can be engineered to do specific things based on milestones, such as send money only when an electronic signature is completed). Its tempting to frame this all as a Wall Street or capital markets story. And full disclosure, there is a big capital markets story and I am a student of financial history and fintech. My college thesis was on mortgage markets and I spent years at fintechs SoFi, Brex, and now Figure. But Im also a person with a mortgage and young kids, and what excites me most is how this plays out in real life, with real life impact. Here are five ways this shift to stablecoins is changing how we save, spend, and invest. 1. Paycheck stability With stablecoin-based payroll, you can get paid the minute you clock out. No processing delays. No Friday-to-Monday gaps. According to Korn Ferry, there are currently more than 80 million gig workers in the U.S., and projections indicate that over 50% of the workforce will be involved in the gig economy by 2027. Stablecoins will be a game-changer for gig workers, freelancers, and anyone juggling multiple income streams. While there are other innovations in real-time payments that could theoretically bring paycheck stability, it is the programmable nature of stablecoins that makes this innovation most likely. Online verifications could be done automatically (such as hours worked, compliance, etc.) which would enable payroll software to release funds instantly, post shift or employment period completion. 2. Borderless money movement Ever tried wiring money overseas? The fees, the delays, the confusion, the currency conversionnone of it makes sense in a global, connected world. With stablecoins, you can send money across borders in seconds. Whether its friends splitting a vacation rental in Berlin or getting funds to a cousin in Bogota, the experience is ultra-smooth. And, theres no arbitrary ~3% penalty just because someone lives in a different country. 3. Your money, your hours If you want to shift cash into a yield account on a Saturday night or rebalance your investments before the market opens, stablecoin makes that possible. Tokenized assetslike on-chain Treasuries or private creditdont need to follow Wall Streets calendar. You move when youre ready, not when the bank is. That kind of flexibility starts to feel really important when the system stutters, like it did in 2023 with the fall of SVB, First Republic, and Signature Bank. When those banks froze, people realized just how fragile their financial options really were. Stablecoin plus self-custody gives people back some control. 4. Yield that doesnt hide behind glass For years, banks have borrowed money for next to nothing, then loaned it back at higher rates. Its the oldest play in finance, and the least transparent. Now, platforms like Aave, Compound, and Democratized Prime let stablecoin holders tap into real yields, without the middlemen. Its a more transparent and low-cost system, where your money can finally pull its weight. 5. AI and stablecoin One additional opportunity looks beyond present-day needs. In AI, there is a lot of talk about autonomous agents that will do tasks for humans (search the internet, buy an item when the price drops, or plan a trip). These agents will need to be able to pay for things we approve of on our behalf, and therefore they will need programmable money that works around the clock (as these agents are always on). They will need stablecoin. The beginning of something better Stablecoins arent here to replace the dollar. Theyre here to make it more useful, with less friction, more control, and fewer delays. Its akin to deciding between snail mail and a text. The rails of money are finally catching up with the rest of the internet. Years from now, just like that clip from the Today Show, well laugh at how uncertain this moment felt. But right now, were at the part where things start to click. No one wonders what @ means anymore. And soon, no one will wonder why their paycheck hasnt cleared yet. Michael Tannenbaum is the CEO of Figure.
Category:
E-Commerce
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